Facilities

The UNC Nutrition Research Institute building is located on the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, NC. The NRI building is equipped with wet laboratories, clinical facilities (including our state-of-the-art Human Research Core), meeting areas and office spaces.

The North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) is located in the city of Kannapolis, just north of Charlotte. Centered on the advancement of nutrition, agriculture and human health, scientists from universities, industry, government and non-profit organizations are finding new ways to promote healthy lifestyles and to prevent, treat and cure the most prevalent diseases of our times like cancer, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s and other diet and lifestyle-related disorders.

The Human Research Core offers these clinical services for academic, public and private research:

Metabolic Research KitchenInvestigators work with a Registered Dietitian to design, prepare and serve precisely composed meals with a safe, accurate and consistent approach. The kitchen is equipped with commercial appliances and professional software. A spacious dining area, adjacent to the kitchen, is available to accommodate up to 50 research participants for diet intervention studies.

Wet Laboratories

The NRI provides state-of-the-art laboratories with modern equipment for experiments that require 1) pyrosequencing to conduct quantitative genetic analyses; 2)gene sequencing and gene expression analyses, and 3) genomic and bacterial DNA purification. Labs are outfitted with time- and effort-saving instruments that perform rapid, high-precision polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as well as sensitive and flexible sorting procedures. Within steps of each laboratory are centrally located shared facilities, including cell and tissue culture rooms, -80* C freezers, imaging suites, microscopy areas, animal housing, centrifuges and incubators. All labs are furnished with ample work and storage spaces, protective hoods, ventilation systems and power back-up.

Meeting Areas and Office Space

The NRI building was designed with collaboration, collegiality and productivity in mind. Meeting areas and office space adjoin or connect the different clinical and laboratory research areas throughout the building. In addition to the 32,500 square feet of wet space is another 18,000 square feet of laboratory offices and conference areas fully equipped with virtual conferencing.

On-Campus Resources

The NRI’s location on the NCRC puts our scientists only footsteps away from the David H. Murdock Research Institute (DHMRI) which offers some of the best biotechnology equipment available, including a molecular genomics laboratory, a metabolomics laboratory, a 950 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance super conducting magnet, a broad array of microscopy technologies and other capabilities.

Human Research Core

The Human Research Core (Core) is a clinical facility located within the UNC Nutrition Research Institute on the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, NC just 30 minutes north of Charlotte.

The Core is complete with examination rooms and equipment, pharmacy, phlebotomy laboratory, specimen laboratory, and furnished consultation rooms. For nutrition intervention studies, the core offers a metabolic kitchen specifically designed to support nutrition research.

The Human Research Core offers state-of-the-art resources and support for investigators through

Human metabolism and body composition assessments

Clinical laboratory and support services

Preparation and delivery of precisely designed meals for study participants

The core provides human nutrition research investigators with multidisciplinary services and equipment in one location. In service since 2008, the Core continues to expand to meet the needs of its investigators.

The Human Research Core encourages collaborative as well as independent research.

The Nutrition Research Institute is committed to conducting innovative, basic and translational science to support the understanding of individualized nutrition. These advances in science promote the prevention and reduction of chronic disease and obesity.

Body Composition Laboratory

Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) (GE Lunar iDXA) The DXA provides precise measurements of total and regional body composition through high resolution imaging. The scan is noninvasive and exposes the research participant to very low radiation. The DXA can accommodate up to 450 pounds. BOD POD® and PEA POD® (COSMED USA, Inc.)The BOD POD® is the gold standard in body composition assessment, with the ability to analyze across the lifespan. The BOD POD® is fast, accurate, noninvasive and accommodates a variety of populations. This equipment uses air displacement technology to determine body volume and density. A pediatric accessory is available for use with the BOD POD® to accommodate children 2-6 years of age. The PEA POD® measures the same variables in infants from 0-6 months.

Metabolic Rate Assessment Laboratory

Dynamometer (BIODEX) Testing and rehabilitation services for knees, ankles and hips plus shoulders, elbows, forearms and wrists. A variety of output reports allow numeric and graphic information to be printed in a number of different formats. Isokinetic testing can be used to provide valid, reliable, objective measures of a muscle’s performance time after time. Metabolic Cart (Parvo Medics)Two carts are available to measure resting metabolic rate and exercise-induced changes in energy expenditure. Exercise-based testing uses a treadmill or stationary bike. Human Whole-Room CalorimeterOur advanced research suite uses indirect calorimetry to evaluate a research participant’s 24-hour energy balance (intake and expenditure). The suite is equipped with a bed, stationary bike, bathroom, airlock chamber for entry of food, ports for blood draws and entertainment options. Data can be collected without interruption during meals, sleep and light activity. Monitoring, consenting, scrubs, supplies, technicians and analysis upon completion are included. The Whole-Room Calorimeter is essential for studies on energy balance and fuel use.